The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 1Finden, W. (William)
History
The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 1
Finden, W. (William)
Coasts -- Great Britain -- Pictorial works; Great Britain -- Pictorial works
The Manor and Castle of Bambrough were afterwards purchased of the
crown, by Nathaniel, Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham, who was married to
Foster's aunt. Lord Crewe, at his decease in 1720, left the above
property, with other valuable estates, to trustees to be applied to
charitable uses. In compliance with the intentions of the testator, a
noble charity is established at Bambrough for the succour of shipwrecked
seamen, the education of children, and the relief of indigent persons.
In 1757 part of the Keep being ready to fall down, the Rev. Thomas
Sharp, Archdeacon of Northumberland, and one of Lord Crewe's trustees,
caused it to be repaired, "merely because it had been a sea-mark for
ages, and as such beneficial to the public." The Rev. Thomas Sharp being
succeeded in the trusteeship, as well as in the archdeaconry, by his
son, the Rev. John Sharp, D.D., the latter, who was also perpetual
curate of Bambrough, continued to make further repairs; and he also
caused an immense quantity of sand, which he had accumulated in the
castle-yard, to be cleared away. To this gentleman, who was a brother of
the amiable Granville Sharp, the present arrangements of the charity are
chiefly owing. At the castle, blocks and tackles, anchors, cables,
warps, and other articles are kept for the use of stranded vessels. In
stormy weather, two men patrol the coast for eight miles, day and night,
in order to look out for vessels in distress, and during a fog a bell is
rung at intervals from the castle, and a gun fired every quarter of an
hour, as a warning to such ships as may be near the coast. Flour and
groceries are sold to poor families at a reduced rate, and twenty poor
girls are boarded and educated within the castle.
[Illustration: HOLY ISLAND CASTLE.
St. Cuthberts.]
CASTLE OF HOLY ISLAND, AND LINDISFARN ABBEY
In the present engraving the view is taken from the eastward on entering
the harbour. To the right is the castle; beyond which, towards the
centre of the view, are seen the ruins of the abbey. The setting sun
sheds a warm, yet mellow light, over land and sea; and as evening is
approaching, and the breeze freshening with the flood tide--for it is
evident from the inward swell that the tide is flowing--the fishermen
are seen making for the shore. The boats bound merrily before the wind,
and
"----the waves, that murmur in their glee,
All hurrying in a joyful band,
Come dancing from the sea."
The painter when he made his sketch must have thoroughly felt the beauty
of the scene, and been touched with the influence of the hour:--
"O Hesperus, thou bringest all good things!"
and inspirest poets to sing, and artists to paint the charms of eve's
sweet hour in words and colours that never die--for once felt and
communicated, they become impressed on the heart and soul of man, and
live and bloom there for ever.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account